Sandakan: A Conspiracy of Silence

by Lynette Ramsay Silver

This is the horrific story of the Sandakan Prisoner of War Camp during the closing years of World War II. Only six Australians survived, and details the bungled rescue attempt, where almost all the men died because of mistakes within the senior ranks.

Genres: History, World War II, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

See also Lynette Silver.

Reviews

[A]

Read for insights into what my great grandfather's brother experienced as a Sandakan 1 POW. Although he isn't mentioned past his name in the list of murdered British soldiers at the back of the book (which is in itself incredibly informative, listing each Australian and British soldier's date, place, and cause of death, plus prisoner number and extra info, wherever possible), the entire book is unbelievably detailed and grounded in extensive research. It can't be overstated how important Lynette Ramsay Silver's research into FEPOWs is - evidenced, for example, by the number of previously unknown graves she has been able to identify. Where information she's uncovered is suspect or incomplete, she's frank about it and suggests likely causes for it, which is always refreshing in non-fiction. This is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in the experiences of WWII soldiers in Malaysia and Singapore.

[Pam Ela]

This is an amazing , horrific story of the POW's at Sandakan drung WW11 and the conspiracy to keep it a secret from the families and general public. It tells about the tragic cover up of imcompetence and apathy be those in authority in Australia.

[Jeannie]

Not easy reading but very worthwhile

[Sandra Munro]

I liked this book. My grandfather is mentioned several times in the text, as he was a POW at Sandakan, so of course I have strong sentimental reasons for finding the material covered to have, for me, more than just a passing interest. Even so, learning about the events described here makes this book a worthwhile read for anyone with an interest in history, especially of Australia, or of WW11. Although harrowing, these events are presented in a non-sentimental manner that is probably reflective of the mien of those soldiers who were, unwillingly, the participants in them. It's something I always enjoy when reading Australian history: there tends to be an absence of extravagant histrionics in the telling - or in other words, a relaxed, laconic, unfussy and brave acceptance of life as it is, for the most part. As Ned Kelly is reputed to have said at his hanging, 'Such is life'.

[Elaine]

I grew up hearing the tragic story of my great uncle’s capture by the Japanese at the fall of Singapore in 1942, and his death as a POW in 1945 at Sandakan in Borneo. I recently went to Borneo to find out for myself about what these poor Australian & British POWs suffered there.
I remember my Mum saying that this whole terrible massacre was pointless and should not have happened. Her uncle died in 1945, just a short time before the Japanese surrender. I bought Lynette Silver’s book there. I am so grateful to her for her amazingly thorough research, and the interesting and engaging way she has written about this terrible massacre of prisoners of war.
The rescue of the prisoners should have been possible, but it was bungled. This story should be a well known part of Australia’s war history.

[David]

After visiting Sandakan in Borneo, I simply wanted to learn more about the World War 2 prisoner of war camp there and the subsequent ‘death march’ to Ranau. This book is a harrowing, enthralling and extraordinary tale of Australian and British POWs who were captured in Singapore and then transferred to Sandakan in Borneo to build an aeroplane runway for their Japanese captors. The book goes into great detail about Operation Kingfisher, the planned rescue of the POWs, and the subsequent cover up be the Australian Military Intelligence. Then there is the Death March. Of over 2440 POWs only six Australians lived to tell the tale - unbelievable, but true. A must read.

[Sylvie Carter]

This was a book I found hard to put down or forget. The research that went into this book is phenomenal and it is extremely well presented. Lynette I would say is the world expert on this tragic story of what happened to the men who perished and suffered at Sandakan. After reading this book I had a whole new perspective of war and it truely moved me. I also found out that I had a distant family relative who died there at a tender young age. So extremely sad and all true! Thank you to Lynette for a brilliant piece of writing in this book.

[Nerissa]

Very depressing and disturbing